High alert

As the Narre Warren Fire Brigade crew fought to control the grass fire, which ripped through parkland in Upwey, member Andrew Harris captured these images.By Kelly Yates

By Kelly Yates
CASEY firefighters will be on high alert tomorrow as they brace for the worst weather conditions since Black Saturday.
Berwick Fire Brigade captain Alan Boyd told the News the weather conditions forecast for Friday, with high winds, low humidity and temperatures set to reach 40, had fire authorities worried.
With a number of fires still burning throughout Victoria, Mr Boyd feared that with new outbreaks resources would be stretched beyond capacity.
A rapid deployment strike team will be stationed at the Berwick Fire Station from mid-day on Friday.
“CFA tankers from a number of fire stations across the City of Casey will gather as crews will be on standby to go anywhere that a fire breaks out at a moment’s notice,” he said.
Mr Boyd said Monday’s fire, where Narre Warren East, Lysterfield and Harkaway residents were put on high alert as a grass fire ripped through parkland in Upwey, was still a concern to firefighters.
Firefighters from Berwick, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Hampton Park, Keysborough, Noble Park, Pearcedale and Tooradin battled the intense fire, which started along Nixon Road about 3pm.
With the help from fire fighting helicopters including the ‘Elvis’ Ericsson Skycrane, the crews brought the fire under control by around midnight, according to Narre Warren Fire Brigade lieutenant Damien Baker.
The fire burnt around 350 hectares of private property and parkland managed by Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Police blocked several roads during the blaze including the roundabout at Belgrave Hallam Road and Wellington Road, despite some motorists ignoring warnings and driving through the roadblocks.
Mr Baker said he had heard two firefighters were injured during the fire, but confirmed there were no reports of firefighters from Casey being injured.
“All firefighters returned home early Tuesday morning tired, dirty and safe,” Mr Baker said.
“Firefighters do put their lives at risk but safety is the highest priority as in the end, we’re playing with fire.”
McDonald’s Narre Warren, along Princes Highway, provided food for the returning firefighters that night.
Narre Warren North Fire Brigade captain Shaun Trotter said the blaze was near where the Ash Wednesday fires started but couldn’t confirm whether the actual starting point was the same.
Casey fire brigades are urging residents to implement fire safety plans this week.
“Friday is shaping up to be bad and residents need to be ready for the day,” Mr Boyd said.